Development of the 2nd Generation Redshift(z) and Early Universe Spectrometer and the Detailed Study of Far-IR Fine-Structure Lines in High-z Galaxies
Abstract
The 2nd generation Redshift(z) and Early Universe Spectrometer (ZEUS-2), is a long-slit echelle grating spectrometer ( 1000) for observations at submillimeter wavelengths from 200 to 850 μm. Its design is optimized for the detection of redshifted far-infrared spectral lines from galaxies in the early universe. Combined with its exquisite sensitivity, broad wavelength coverage, and large 2.5%) instantaneous bandwidth, ZEUS-2 is uniquely suited for studying galaxies between 0.2 and 5—spanning the peaks in both the star formation rate and AGN activity in the universe. ZEUS-2 saw first light at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) in the spring of 2012 and was commissioned on the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) this past November. Here we report on the instrument development and performance as well as initial scientific results from the APEX commissioning. We also discuss our ZEUS-1 (the first generation Redshift(z) and Early Universe Spectrometer) detections of the [NII] 122 μm and [OIII] 88 μm lines from starburst galaxies at redshifts between ~2.5 and 4. These are the first high-z detections of these lines and they are examples of work we plan to continue with ZEUS-2. As such, they demonstrate the potential of ZEUS-2 for increasing our understanding of galaxies and galaxy evolution over cosmic time.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #221
- Pub Date:
- January 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AAS...22141402F